The Bahamas-flagged tanker, the Prestige, radioed for help in gale-force winds off the coastline of Galicia, a major fishing grounds. The crew of a rescue helicopter spotted traces of oil around the tanker, but there were no signs of a large spill.

Spanish emergency workers airlifted 24 of the 27 crew members off the vessel but left the captain and two others to help with the towing.